Cougars sweep Labor Day tournament

The Mabel-Canton sixth annual Labor Day Volleyball Tournament was held Saturday, Aug. 31, bringing together seven teams from throughout the region. M-C won the event with a one-day record of 7-0. Here are the days' matches for the hosting Cougars.

Pool play:

Mabel-Canton defeated Waukon, Iowa, 25-6 and 25-13.

Mabel-Canton defeated Winona Cotter, 25-21 and 25-13.

Mabel-Canton defeated Rushford-Peterson, 25-18 and 25-16.

Mabel-Canton defeated Houston, 25-14 and 25-7.

Mabel-Canton defeated Brainerd, 25-10 and 22-25.

Mabel-Canton defeated Spring Grove, 25-9 and 25-18.

Playoff round:

Mabel-Canton defeated Brainerd, 25-10 and 25-8 for the championship. Rushford-Peterson won the third-place match, defeating Houston. The fifth-place match pitted Spring Grove against Winona Cotter and was won by the Lions.

"It was a very challenging tournament once again," said M-C Coach Lonnie Morken. "Some of the teams were improved from last season (Brainerd, Cotter) and some of the other teams had marquee players (Abby Loken, Nikki Ellingson, Kendra Crawford). I was proud of our girls for maintaining their focus for the whole day."

Morken said he thought his team members passed the ball really well as the day wore on which allowed the Cougars to be very efficient on offense. "To hit .333 as a team over an entire tournament is a testament to good ball control and good setting," he added.

Morken acknowledge several local individuals who helped at the tournament and helped make the day run smoothly. They included his wife, Stephanie, the Rev. Mary Waudby and assistant coach Bethany Moen.

"We also had a number of other volunteers that helped with scoring and concessions," Morken concluded. "It is a massive undertaking hosting a tournament like this and you need lots of help!"